I Adore You // Braeden Lemasters

Chapter 18: I'm Full

Aubrey peaked out of her bedroom door, before opening it up all the way. She looked at Natalie in a sneaky kind of way.

"Okaaay. What happened?" She asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Did anything happen, I mean?"

"No," Natalie laughed, giving Aubrey a little smack on the arm. "We're just friends right now. Really good friends."

Aubrey looked at her doubtfully, crossing her arms.

"I'm serious," Natalie said. "I don't want to ruin anything by sleeping with him right away. We're trying to take things a little slow, right now."

"Okay," Aubrey said throwing in the towel. "If you say so."

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Two Weeks Later

The sun was setting, and the air was getting a little chilly. Braeden and Natalie were on a large blanket they had laid out and the now empty picnic basket set off somewhere to the side. They lay with their arms crossed behind their heads, watching the setting sun. They were mostly silent, bellies full from the sandwiches they ate, taking in the moment.

"I used to do this back in Ohio sometimes."

"By yourself?" He asked.

"By myself." She confirmed.

"Do you miss Ohio?"

"All the time." She said. "I feel like I'm missing out on watching my sister grow up. I feel so absent, I guess."

"Yeah," he said softly. "I could understand that... What's your sister like?"

"She's 7." She said. "She's the cutest kid. So sweet, would never hurt a fly."

He smiled. Listening to her talk about things she loved made his heart happy. They were quiet for a little bit again. The sunset off in the distance was beautiful, but it was getting even more chilly outside.

"Here," Braeden said, pulling her closer to him, arm wrapped around her.

They cuddled, watching the sky together, enjoying each other's company.

"I really like spending time with you." He said. "Somehow I feel like I've known you forever."

"I feel that way, too."

"I'd really love for you to be my girlfriend." He said.

She grinned, "Are you asking me, or?"

He looked down at her, cheeks turning a bit rosey, "Are you patronizing me?"

She smirked at him and giggled.

"Alright," he said taking a more serious tone, and rolling on his side to face her. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

She admired him for a moment, full of happiness.

"Yes," she said.

Then Braeden pushed her hair away from her forehead, and planted a kiss there. Then he planted one on her lips. Natalie pulled him close and hugged him tightly.

"I feel like you're my best friend." She said quietly.

"Does that mean you don't wanna be my girlfriend?" He joked.

"No," she laughed. "I do. I just, I dunno. I feel really close to you. I'm really glad I met you."

"Well that's good," he said. "Because I really care about you."